There's a long thread about Diamond upgrades (here), but nothing for us lowly (and proliferating) Golds. It occurred to me that a thread our our own might be useful, as a way of comparing experiences and perhaps seeing changes over time. I propose we stick to present and future upgrades only; what's past is past, as they say. If you're so inclined to add your 2-cents, I suggest offering the following information:

1. Which property?
2. Room-type booked
3. Paid or Award?
4. Upgrade - yes or no?
5. How and When (i.e., in advance, when checking-in at the hotel, etc.)?

I'll go first:

1. DoubleTree North Shore Conference Center, Skokie, IL
2. King - Larger Room
3. Paid
4. Upgrade - yes, to King - Junior Suite
5. Called hotel directly at T-36 hours and requested

(FWIW, we had very good upgrade success in 2012, in two cases -- Hilton Hanoi Opera and Londong Trafalgar -- to suites.)

Given all the flux in the HH program, I think it will be very interested to hear about other people's experinces...